Youth News

Oklahoma National Officer Candidate Ridge Hughbanks on the Road to the National FFA Convention

Thu, 18 Oct 2018 19:16:03 CDT

Since being awarded the opportunity to represent Oklahoma as a National FFA Officer candidate nearly three months ago, Ridge Hughbanks of Alva, Okla. has worked to absorb all the knowledge he can about the American agriculture industry, from education’s role to developing agricultural policy. All this effort, of course, in preparation for this coming week during which he will travel to Indianapolis for the National FFA Convention to face the ultimate challenge of his career in the FFA Organization. He sat with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays this week before hitting the road to talk about what FFA has meant to him and why that has motivated him to seek a national office within the youth organization. Listen to their complete conversation by clicking or tapping the LISTEN BAR below at the bottom of the page.

Hughbanks says influence on him and his life and the thing that first sparked the desire to run for national office, are one in the same.

“FFA has provided me with purpose. It’s allowed me to use my passions in a way that has allowed me to grow and to see growth within an organization that I care so much for,” he explained. “But also, it’s the incredible people I have met in this organization.”

The selection process for the national officer candidates consists of multiple rounds of elimination which will begin in Indianapolis this Saturday. The results for the first round will be known sometime on the evening of the following Monday. The full slate of officers selected to serve during 2018-2019 will be announced at the end of the convention next Saturday night, October 27th. Hughbanks says he comfortable with the potential of how things can go - either way - with the mindset of simply doing his best and just taking things one round at a time.

“For me it’s just a matter of making sure that I am at my personal best, regardless of the round at hand,” he said. “That’s my goal and that’s my focus, just being my best every time. Whatever is meant to happen, will.”

One again, we are taking pictures in and around the 2018 National FFA Convention- click or tap here to check out the National Convention Album on FLICKR. By the way- we continue a tradition as several state officers of the Oklahoma FFA will be taking pictures for us during the course of the meeting.

Our exclusive coverage of the 2018 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis October 24-27 is a service of ITC Great Plains, Your Energy Superhighway- learn more about this high voltage, transmission only utility and their commitment to the communities they serve which is the cornerstone of their business - Click or tap here for their webpage. We also appreciate the support of the Oklahoma FFA Association and the Oklahoma FFA Alumni Association. Click or tap here for more information about one of the top states in the US in the FFA- the Oklahoma FFA Association. FFA is a student organization for high school-aged students interested in agriculture and leadership. Oklahoma FFA impacts the lives of over 27,000 members in 359 chapters across the state.

Listen to Ridge Hughbanks speak with Ron Hays about his journey through the FFA by tapping below